Taking care of oneself down under: Australian survival advice for Indian students

University of Sydney student Mayank Kumar fell into the trap of taking a job that would allow him to earn more than the minimum wage because he was eager to relieve his parents’ financial burden in Karnal. “This individual, who is of Indian descent, took me to many places of employment.

He suddenly asked for money from me, promising to repay me and help me get additional contracts. After sending him the money, I lost contact with him. I didn’t realize until much later that students are only allowed to work 24 hours a week, unless they take breaks from their studies,” claims Mayank. Having learned his lesson the hard way, he cautions overseas students about what lies ahead.

According to Swathi Thangavel, a student at a university in Perth, working more than 24 hours a week is not only against the law but also a risk that might endanger one’s whole academic career in addition to having one’s visa revoked.

As many as 1,26,487 Indian students were studying in Australia between January and December 2023, making it the second most popular country after Canada, according to a Department of Education data called PRISMS.

Indian students claim that the prospect of a better life and prospects might be quickly dashed if the scholastic system, cultural quirks, linguistic challenges, and financial ramifications are not well investigated.

Shubhang Aggarwal, an Ambala native studying in Sydney, says, “We are drawn to part-time work opportunities to fund our studies, only to face the harsh realities of restricted work hours and visa regulations.” “I learned about the high cost of living and the scarcity of jobs here after I moved here.”

Sydney student Ribhudeya Ramamoorthy remarks, “The rent here is quite high.” For lodging, I pay around 570 AUD (1 AUD = Rs 55) every week. Since housing at universities may cost anywhere from AUD 300 to AUD 600 per week, many students choose to live off campus, which raises their living costs.

A private or shared room might cost anywhere from AUD 120 to 400, depending on the location, including utility fees. Expenses might also include the price of traveling to the institution. The weekly cost of groceries starts at around AUD 50. If you dine out often, your weekly food expenses might reach AUD 150. Traveling around the city, seeing movies, and other leisure activities can further deplete your funds. International students generally agree that living expenses in Australia range from AUD 25,000 to 40,000 annually.

It may not be long-term viable to rely just on part-time job to pay for living costs and tuition, since this might result in stress, worry, and even melancholy. Recent graduate Hemang Patel says, “It was difficult for me to balance employment and study, which resulted in a protracted job hunt in Brisbane. I was left feeling disoriented and overpowered by the encounter, which finally led to a depressive episode for which there was no obvious way out.

Cultural variations can provide important challenges, such as comprehending communication methods and conforming to social conventions. These difficulties may be exacerbated by language problems, which can make even easy activities seem impossible.

“The educational system in Australia is quite unlike from our own. It takes time, persistence, and a desire to change and grow, according to Harjinder Kaur Manki, a Sydney-based cybersecurity master’s student.

Senior network engineer Nithin Krishnan, who works in Sydney, underlines the value of good attitude and soft skills in landing a job. He emphasises the need of proactive learning and making use of publicly accessible materials since many people do not recognize the possibilities of gaining knowledge to enter in-demand sectors.

A professor at the University of Technology, Sydney, Jeremy Lindeck emphasizes the value of absorbing and accepting Australian culture. He advises being involved in social groups and a variety of group initiatives at the universities.

Despite the difficulties, there is hope. Australia has an abundance of resources and support networks. In order to assist those who fall between the cracks, safety nets such as community networks and university programs are available.

With 1,32,000 members, Nadeem Ahmed’s “Indians in Sydney (IiS)” support group on Facebook is very popular. “IiS is more than just a group but a community providing support, resources, and connections,” adds Nadeem, highlighting the importance of social relationships.

According to Hemang, asking for assistance is a show of strength and perseverance rather than weakness. “I got the best support from Queensland University when I was battling depression.”